Nicaragua

Background: Originally settled by the Spanish in the early 16th century, Nicaragua declared independence in 1821 and became a republic in 1838. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread by 1978 and resulted in a civil war that brought the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas to power in 1979. The Sandinistas were defeated in free elections in 1990, 1996, and 2001. The country has slowly rebuilt its economy, but was hard hit by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Church planting efforts will foucs on unreached areas of the interior of Nicaragua. Many of these areas have no known church.

Population: 5,465,100 (July 2005 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.92% (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: 70.33 years

Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%

Population below poverty line: 50% (2001 est.)